Every girl dreams of her wedding day when she walks down the aisle on her father’s arm, being brought by tradition to be given to her soon-to-be husband. She dreams of a long flowing gown with a magnificent lace veil as the organ sounds the traditional “Here Comes the Bride.” Her bridesmaids are all dressed in lovely gowns as well, with the groom and groomsmen in tuxedos complete with those silly bow ties.
It’s tradition, after all, so there’s no getting away from traditional attire. However, when it’s a Catholic wedding, there are layers upon layers of tradition, and those are the things every Catholic girl really wants on this most special of days. So then, if you were to ask any bride-to-be what her dreams are of a Catholic wedding, here is some of what you will most likely hear.
A Traditional Nuptial Mass
Beyond tradition, it is well-known that the Church doesn’t recognize a marriage unless it is blessed by a priest. This is usually done within a Mass, but sometimes couples are married in a court, for instance, and will later have their wedding blessed by a priest at a special service. Even so, that is not what a Catholic girl dreams of as her Catholic Wedding in a Mass. She then wants a reception with all the hoopla of music, food, and fancy tables with wedding favors and flowers. She wants the whole kit and kaboodle.
The Traditional Wedding Reception
As the ceremony ends, the priest introduces the couple as Mr. and Mrs. for the first time, and then accompanied by the organ there is a recessional out of the church to be hailed with rice or confetti as allowed by that parish. Then it’s on to the reception. Here is where the tables must be set and decorated according to tradition with wedding favors also a big part of the tradition.
These usually include Jordan almonds bound together in a small net bundle and Catholic Wedding favors that are often little interlocked plastic wedding bands and sometimes even a prayer card as a blessing for the newlyweds. There is the first dance as a married couple and the traditional last dance the bride will do with her father. It’s an exciting moment and one that won’t be forgotten.
Keeping the Dream Alive
Since both the bride and groom will probably be nervous to the point of having a breakdown, they will not likely remember all those magic moments during the ceremony and later at the reception. For this reason, it is customary to hire a photographer or videographer who will capture the entire day. This is how they can keep the dream alive for the rest of their lives.
From time to time it’s nice to watch the video or glance through the wedding album. This is the Catholic wedding the bride had always dreamed of and one that can now be shared with her daughters she hopes to have. She dreams that her daughters will also dream of their Catholic wedding, keeping the tradition alive in the faith.
